Numerous large, long-standing hotels worth millions of dollars have been left abandoned for years in central Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province, and are gradually falling into disrepair.

Bai Chay is widely known as the tourism hub of Ha Long City, Quang Ninh, home to a dense concentration of restaurants and hotels catering to travelers.

In this area, many hotels sit on prime plots of land - each spanning thousands of square meters and valued at millions of US dollars. These hotels once held coveted locations in tourism zones, along main roads, or at key intersections commonly referred to as “sticky rice cake corners.”

Van Hai Hotel, one of the first lodging establishments in Ha Long, has stood for over 20 years. Located directly on Ha Long Road with ocean views and a view of Bai Chay Bridge, it has been out of operation for years, with many parts of the structure deteriorating.

A security guard at the hotel shared that it has ceased operations since the outbreak of COVID-19. The property no longer welcomes guests and is only occasionally cleaned on the outside. Over time, several of its windows have become damaged and are temporarily covered with green tarps.

On Hau Can Street, Dia Chat Hotel and Ha Long Canh Vinh Hotel are in a similar state of abandonment, having not hosted any guests. Their grounds are overgrown with weeds reaching the lobby. Many rooms are visibly damaged, and outdated interiors covered in dust can be seen from the street.

Signs reading “Not accepting guests” are posted at the entrances of these hotels.

At the main intersection of Hoang Quoc Viet Street, a multi-story hotel named Lotus Hotel has visibly deteriorated after years of disuse.

There is no security on-site. The entrance to the lobby has been barricaded, and damage from Typhoon Yagi has never been repaired. Many structural elements are now peeling or broken.

Additionally, at the beginning of Vuon Dao Street, a hotel has been under construction for years but remains unfinished.

Speaking with VietNamNet, a representative from the Quang Ninh Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism said that the closure of these hotels stems from various causes, including ineffective business operations, ownership transfers pending renovation, or plans for demolition to make way for new projects - as is the case with Ha Long Canh Vinh Hotel.

The department is currently instructing local authorities to review all types of lodging facilities - hotels, apartment buildings, rental flats, and commercial buildings - that are not in use.

Pham Cong